Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 182: Chongyun, What Do You Think of the Tianshi Position?

While the Tianshi Mansion was embroiled in internal strife, the entire Great Tang was also in turmoil.

Both the eastern and northern regions were in chaos.

Notable figures such as Elder Li Song of Tianshi Mansion and Abbot Liaoyuan of Bodhi Monastery had perished.

At the same time, a new generation of powerhouses was rising.

Apart from Tang Xiaotang, whose position as the next Tianshi was becoming increasingly evident, two other young elites had gained widespread attention—Chu Yu from Suzhou and the siblings of the Xiao Clan of Longxi.

Chu Yu had long been renowned, so her rise was not particularly surprising.

The Xiao siblings, however, had exceeded many people’s expectations.

During the Western Region War, the Xiao Clan of Longxi had suffered devastating losses.

Most of their high-ranking members had perished—not only the elders but nearly the entire middle generation as well.

The clan’s survival ultimately depended on Xiao Hang, the eldest direct grandson, who took over as the new patriarch.

Fortunately, Xiao Hang, the youngest Upper-Heaven Realm expert of the Xiao Clan at the time, was still around to barely uphold the family's honor.

However, with too many losses among their top cultivators, the Xiao Clan had become severely weakened, with only a handful of Upper-Heaven Realm experts left.

It was no wonder that Li Xuan, when making his contingency plans, had set his sights on the Xiao Clan of Longxi.

At this critical juncture in the Xiao Clan’s history, two highly controversial figures stepped forward to fill the void.

A pair of siblings—Xiao Chunhui and Xiao Xueting.

According to the latest reports, the two were Xiao Hang’s half-siblings.

However, Xiao Chunhui and Xiao Xueting were born of a concubine, not a legal wife.

Before the Western Region War, these two had never been acknowledged by the Xiao Clan.

It was only after the war that they emerged publicly.

According to Li Xuan’s investigations over the years, the siblings had indeed existed long before the Western Region War, but their identities had remained unrecognized within the family.

Speculation regarding their origins remained rampant.

It was Xiao Hang who had defied opposition within the clan and officially accepted his half-siblings.

While Xiao Hang stayed in Longxi to stabilize the family, Xiao Chunhui and Xiao Xueting joined the imperial expedition to the Eastern Sea, making a stunning debut.

With this, the Xiao Clan of Longxi had gained two new Upper-Heaven Realm cultivators.

Among them, Xiao Xueting even surpassed her elder brother's record, becoming the youngest Seventh-Heaven expert in Xiao Clan history.

After the Eastern Sea Demon Uprising was largely subdued, Xiao Xueting suddenly launched a rapid, long-range assault, rushing to Wuyue to join the battle.

It was her surprise attack—together with Chu Yu—that prevented Prince Wu from escaping, forcing him to die in battle.

The Xiao Clan, despite being on the brink of collapse, had miraculously produced three Upper-Heaven Realm powerhouses in a short span.

This incredible resurgence stunned the entire cultivation world.

Although the recent Spiritual Energy Revival had made cultivation more favorable, the only sects that had previously produced multiple young top-tier cultivators in such a short time were the Tang Imperial Court and Tianshi Mansion, with Xu Yuanzhen, Li Zhengxuan, and Tang Xiaotang.

Now, the Xiao Clan of Longxi had joined that elite group.

As a result, Xiao Chunhui and Xiao Xueting, despite being younger siblings, were often grouped together with Xiao Hang, earning them the collective titles of Xiao Clan’s Eldest, Second, and Third Scions.

However, due to the Xiao Clan’s current circumstances, these two newcomers were shrouded in mystery.

Controversy over Xiao Chunhui and Xiao Xueting’s origins persisted.

At the same time, many were wondering—what role had the Empress played in all of this?

Lei Jun carefully examined the intelligence Li Xuan had gathered.

One particular detail caught his attention.

The mother of Xiao Chunhui and Xiao Xueting remained a mystery.

Despite Li Xuan’s extensive investigations, he had failed to uncover her true identity.

That familiar sense of déjà vu…

Lei Jun recalled reading similar stories in novels back on Blue Star and couldn't help but indulge in a bit of gossip.

Shaking his head, he dismissed his wandering thoughts and continued reading the Iron Scroll for further information.

Though his curiosity about the Xiao siblings' origins was half-joking, their cultivation paths were genuinely unique.

The Xiao Clan of Longxi, as one of the Five Great Surnames and Seven Prominent Clans, had a long tradition rooted in Confucian cultivation.

Like his elder brother Xiao Hang, Xiao Chunhui was a Seventh-Heaven Grand Scholar.

However, what stood out was the rumor that Xiao Chunhui had a congenital defect in his body’s constitution.

Even with the Xiao Clan’s vast resources, they had been unable to fully compensate for it.

Thus, Xiao Chunhui had taken an extremely soul-focused cultivation path—so extreme that it bordered on madness.

Despite his limitations, he had managed to break through to the Seventh Heaven, making him a near-legendary figure.

During the Eastern Sea Demon Uprising, his performance had astonished everyone.

In contrast, his sister Xiao Xueting was in perfect health.

But for the Confucian-rooted Xiao Clan, her "healthiness" might have been a bit too extreme.

Because Xiao Xueting was not a Confucian scholar-cultivator at all.

She followed the martial path.

A warrior.

A swordmaster.

And not the kind who practiced Confucian swordsmanship.

This alone had baffled the world.

However, considering her unusual background, perhaps it wasn’t so surprising.

Regardless of the speculation, Xiao Xueting’s fame had already surpassed her brother’s due to her incredible feats on the battlefield.

Lei Jun did not have to wait long before meeting her on Mount Longhu.

She had an elegant yet otherworldly beauty, yet wore a full suit of military armor.

Even so, her presence dimmed the radiance of every other woman on Mount Longhu—except perhaps Tang Xiaotang and Zhang Jingzhen.

The Empress was coming to Mount Longhu.

Xiao Xueting had arrived ahead of time to make preparations.

She was received by Yuan Mobai and Shangguan Ning, accompanied by Lei Jun, Zhang Jingzhen, Lin Shan, and Fang Jian.

Once they were seated, the young general sat upright and announced, "Her Majesty is expected to arrive in seven days."

Yuan Mobai smiled warmly, speaking in a calm tone, "The entire sect is prepared to welcome the imperial procession."

Xiao Xueting nodded. "That is good to hear. I will remain on the mountain for the next few days to assist with preparations. Please forgive any inconvenience."

Yuan Mobai and Shangguan Ning both nodded. "You are too courteous, General Xiao."

The conversation was then handed over to Shangguan Ning, who had always managed such matters on behalf of Tianshi Mansion.

After discussing official business, Xiao Xueting asked with genuine concern, "Elder Shangguan, how is your health?"

Shangguan Ning smiled. "Thank you for your concern, Xueting. I still need time to recover, but as long as I avoid fighting, there’s no problem."

This brief exchange helped ease the atmosphere.

Xiao Xueting then asked, "Forgive my boldness, but regarding Tianshi Mansion’s future leadership…"

She was essentially asking on behalf of the Empress.

Though Shangguan Ning had served as the liaison, some matters still needed to be settled face-to-face.

After exchanging a glance with Yuan Mobai, Shangguan Ning calmly stated, "Tianshi Mansion will honor the ancestors and officially expel Li Song, Li Ziyang, and their faction from the sect."

Compared to Tianshi Mansion, the Li Clan now faced an even greater threat—

The Yellow Heaven Sect.

The deaths of Li Hongyu, Li Song, Li Ziyang, and Li Zhengxuan, the four High Priests of the Li Clan, had taken many by surprise.

Even though Tianshi Mansion would continue purging remnants of the Li Clan, even if they didn't, the Yellow Heaven Sect would certainly not spare them.

Although internal factions existed within the Yellow Heaven Sect, whether it was Qi Shuo’s group or Zhao Zongjie’s faction, both would seize the chance to strike at an enemy already down.

"Is there any risk of Daoist scriptures leaking?" Xiao Xueting asked softly.

Shangguan Ning replied, "The last two volumes of the True Canon of the Dao of Righteousness cannot be transcribed.

The Talismanic Scriptures have already been remotely sealed through the Ten Thousand Methods Sect Altar.

The only concern is the missing Tianshi Robe..."

The True Canon of the Dao of Righteousness, the core scripture of Tianshi Mansion, consisted of seven volumes.

• Initiate Disciples were granted access to Volumes 1 and 2.
• Talismanic Disciples could learn Volume 3.
• Fifth-Heaven cultivators who underwent an advanced talismanic initiation could access Volume 4.
• Sixth-Heaven cultivators received Volume 5.
• Seventh-Heaven cultivators, the highest-ranking talismanic cultivators, could comprehend Volume 6.

The scriptures were sealed within jade slips—single-use artifacts that could only be accessed once per person.

While the teachings could be orally transmitted, much of the Daoist essence would inevitably be lost in the process.

By the time a cultivator reached Volume 6 and Volume 7, the scriptures could no longer be recorded in any form.

With Li Song, Li Ziyang, and the others dead, no one in the Li Clan had a way to obtain the last two volumes—

Unless they found the Tianshi Robe.

Even now, though Tianshi Mansion still had several High Priests capable of guiding disciples, any new Seventh-Heaven cultivator would still need to enter the Ten Thousand Methods Sect Altar to receive the sixth volume’s teachings.

The only other way was through the Tianshi Robe.

Even the Tianshi Seal only contained the Three Realms True Canon—not the full essence of the True Canon of the Dao of Righteousness.

As for whether the Li Clan could deduce the final two volumes from their knowledge of the first five, that was nearly impossible.

To put it bluntly—

If that were feasible, the Yellow Heaven Sect would have done it long ago when they split from Tianshi Mansion.

Since leaking the True Canon was unacceptable, Tianshi Mansion would continue its internal purges.

Fortunately, thanks to the Ten Thousand Methods Sect Altar, both basic Talismanic Scriptures and advanced Talismanic Scriptures had been remotely sealed.

From now on, even though the Li Clan was part of the Talismanic Branch, they would never be able to craft talismans again.

They were not like the Yellow Heaven Sect.

The Yellow Heaven Sect had managed to survive independently because, when they rebelled, they had multiple High Priests specializing in talismans.

Back then, one of those renegade High Priests had sacrificed himself.

With the secrets and treasures they stole when leaving Mount Longhu, they had managed to transform themselves into a sect, building their own Daoist altar outside Tianshi Mansion.

This foundation had allowed them to endure despite being cut off from the Tianshi Mansion’s blessings and remote seals.

Even so, the Yellow Heaven Sect faced a looming crisis.

To maintain their sect altar, they had to constantly conduct rituals, preventing the Ten Thousand Methods Sect Altar from reclaiming their teachings.

Furthermore, the sect altar, which was created by one person sacrificing their body, was not immortal.

The renegade elder who had transformed himself into the altar had been at his prime when he did so.

But as time passed, if he were still alive, he would be growing weaker.

Even now, the altar—which was once a person—was slowly aging and deteriorating.

Eventually, it would collapse entirely.

This temporary solution could never compare to the true Ten Thousand Methods Sect Altar.

But the Li Clan did not even have the luxury of worrying about the future—their present was already a living nightmare.

Even if they wanted to imitate what the Yellow Heaven Sect had done, it was impossible.

Not only were the rare materials required to establish a new altar already extinct, but there was not a single Seventh-Heaven talisman cultivator left in the Li Clan willing to sacrifice themselves.

Creating a sect altar wasn’t something just anyone could do.

1. The person had to be a Seventh-Heaven talisman master.
2. They had to be willing to die for it.

Where would the Li Clan find such a person?

This was why the deaths of Li Song, Li Hongyu, and the others had been such an unforeseen catastrophe.

Could the younger generation of the Li Clan strive to be like the Xiao Clan of Longxi and produce several new Upper-Heaven Realm experts?

Unfortunately, no.

Without an altar of their own, their Initiate Disciples could never become Talismanic Disciples.

Without an altar of their own, their Middle-Heaven cultivators could never open the Heavenly Gate to reach the Upper-Heaven Realm.

Among Talismanic Daoists, the Seventh-Heaven realm was known as Tongtian—"the path to the heavens."

And that path… was now completely severed.

Even if some miracle occurred, it wouldn't matter—

Tianshi Mansion wouldn’t allow it.

The Yellow Heaven Sect would be the first to stop it.

Shangguan Ning had spoken lightly, but the reality was brutal—

If the Li Clan had any chance of recovery, it was only by finding the Tianshi Robe first.

"If I come across any clues while traveling, I will keep an eye out," Xiao Xueting promised.

Yuan Mobai and Shangguan Ning both expressed their gratitude.

After this, the conversation became more casual, with Lei Jun, Zhang Jingzhen, and the others occasionally joining in.

Later, Shangguan Ning and Zhang Jingzhen arranged accommodations for Xiao Xueting, while Lei Jun followed Yuan Mobai back to the High Priests' Hall.

As they walked, Yuan Mobai asked gently, "Chongyun, you don’t seem very eager to interact with the Tang Imperial Court’s representatives. Why is that?"

With only master and disciple present, Lei Jun answered candidly, "Master, you’re absolutely right. I don’t reject dealing with the Tang Imperial Court, but I’m not particularly keen on it either."

"Oh?" Yuan Mobai took a seat.

Lei Jun explained, "The Tang Imperial Court supports major sects like ours to counterbalance the aristocratic clans.

With our recent disasters, Tianshi Mansion does need their backing. But…"

He chuckled, but his smile was distant.

"On the other hand, isn’t the Zhang Clan of the capital just another powerful bloodline?"

As he spoke, a nine-colored glow flickered within his Light Sphere of Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Calamity—

[A newly risen noble, the target of many. Fortune and misfortune are intertwined. Proceed at your discretion.]